Booth’s Escape Century

After John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln in the spring of 1865 he fled through southern Maryland seeking refuge in the south. This ambitious century ride passes many historic landmarks that are significantly related to that event or period of time. For the cycling/history buff this is a tour to put on your “to-ride” list.

Here are some of the sights you can encounter along the way…

Thomas Stone National Historical Site – Home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence

Rose Hill: Home of Confederate agent Olivia Floyd, her brother John Semmes, and George Washington’s Doctor

Port Tobacco: Old Indian village of Potobac visited in 1608 by Captain John Smith. Later a center of Confederate activity, where Tom Jones was offered a $100,000 reward to betray Booth. (Jones fed Booth for 5 days and put him in a boat for Virginia instead). Museum opens at noon.

St. Ignatius Church: Oldest (1662) continuously active parish in the U.S. Olivia and John Floyd are buried here

The Pine Thicket: Where Tom Jones cared for Booth and Herold for 5 days.

Rich Hill: Home of Samuel Cox who fed and aided Booth and Herold after they crossed the Great Zekiah Swamp.

Huckleberry: Home of Tom Jones. Jones, Booth and Herold stopped here for provisions on the way to Jones’ rowboat.

Pope’s Creek Beach; Whence Booth and Herold first set off for Virginia in Tom Jones’ rowboat. They landed back in Maryland at Blossom Point by mistake.

Great Zekiah Swamp: Crossed by the two fugitives after leaving Dr. Mudd.

St. Mary’s Church: Where Booth and Dr. Mudd first met. Dr. Mudd is buried here.

Bryantown Tavern: The conspirators met here to hatch their plots.

Mudd Home: Where Booth’s broken leg was set. Tours 12-4 pm are conducted by Dr. Mudd’s granddaughter who was born and raised here. Well worth the $3.00 fee! Air Conditioned.

Nottingham: Colonial port town. The British camped here on their march to D.C. in 1814.

St. Peter’s Church: Where, on Easter Sunday, Mudd reported the late night visit of two “strangers” on Good Friday. Spangler, the stage hand who held Booth’s horse at Ford’s Theater on Good Friday (and was convicted as a conspirator) is buried here.